China for women

China for women

Is there anything more beautiful than a Chinese landscape, with soft mountain-tops hidden in the clouds? Can there be anything more delicate than Chinese tea – and its preparation? China has an utterly feminine soul, and this tour brings out all its loveliness. You will travel throughout the land, seeing not only modern cities like Shanghai and Beijing, but the glorious countryside and its charming villages. Learn the authentic styles of Chinese art and calligraphy, and meet some of the remarkable women of China. Come to Shangri La and let your dreams unfold.

Day 01 Monday Departure USA

Departure on your connecting Trans-Pacific flights from the USA to Beijing.

Day 02 Tuesday Arrival to Beijing

Upon arrival at Beijing’s International Airport, you will be met by your Tour Director and transferred to the hotel to rest and refresh. Welcome dinner. Hotel.

Day 03 Wednesday Beijing

Begin your China adventure in one of the oldest parts of Beijing, the traditional Hutong area, where you will visit Chinese homes and enjoy a home-hosted Lunch. In the afternoon, visit the famed Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City – once reserved solely for the great Emperors. Walking in the footsteps of Royal Chinese history, enjoy viewing the living quarters, clock collection, jewelry and other fascinating treasures. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 04 Thursday Beijing – Overnight Train

This morning, depart Beijing for a visit the Great Wall of China, amazing to behold, and an everlasting monument to the production skills of China. Time for Lunch nearby, before returning to Beijing. Visit the Temple of Heaven, known as the most perfectly harmonious building in China. Enjoy the activities in the surrounding park: people playing the Chinese game of “Mah Jongg” or exercising the graceful movements of Tai Chi. Enjoy Dinner at a local restaurant before boarding the long-distance train to Xi’an. Overnight Train accommodations.

Day 05 Friday Xi’an –Yangshou

Upon arrival in Xi’an, transfer to a local restaurant for Breakfast. Next, drive to the Terra Cotta Museum to witness the wonder of the thousands of Terra Cotta Warriors. Enter the exhibition, coming face-to-face with one of mankind’s greatest and most painstaking creations – no two soldiers are alike. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and the flight to Guilin. Upon arrival, drive through a magical landscape to the poetic and colorful town of Yangshou. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and quaint streets as the sun slowly sets. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 06 Saturday Yangshou

Begin a full day in an environment of natural beauty, with hundreds of hills and colorful water-filled rice fields, blended with quaint villages and open, friendly people. Many travelers tend to describe Yangshou as “what I expected China to look like.” During the day, travel to picturesque villages by means of electric carts, visit some of the minority (tribal) groups of China, and cruise the Li River to the traditional market in Fuli. Lunch will be served during the tour. Remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel.

Day 07 Sunday Yangshou – Lijiang

This morning, visit one of China’s renowned Tea Plantations and get an introduction to the art of tea growing, as well as the traditions involved in tea preparation. After Lunch, transfer to the Guilin airport for the connecting flight to picturesque Lijiang. Upon arrival, feel the excitement of this historic town in the Yunnan province. With its spectacular backdrop of mountains, Lijiang’s architecture is a unique blend of elements from many cultures coming together over the centuries. This scenic spot is known to have more than eleven minority groups, the best-known being the Naxi, Dongba and Tibetan peoples. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 08 Monday Lijiang

Today is devoted to the enjoyment of Lijiang and its surroundings. In the morning, visit the Old Town and see the marketplace, with Naxi women and men in traditional dress. This famed 800 year-old Dayan town, designated by UNESCO as a “World Heritage” location, is wonderfully easy to explore. After Lunch in a Naxi garden, continue to the Jade Peak Temple, with its magnificent, centuries-old trees covering the grounds, before returning to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to browse this appealing town. Hotel.

Day 09 Tuesday Lijiang – Chongqing

This morning, enjoy a spectacular cable car ride up the Yulong Snow Mountain (weather pending), whose peaks reach up to 18,000 feet. The visit offers fantastic vistas of the mountainous area. After Lunch, it is time to say goodbye to the lands of “Shangri La” as we transfer to Lijiang airport for the connecting flights to Chongqing. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, followed by Dinner. Hotel.

Day 10 Wednesday Chongqing

This morning, visit the zoo and make friends with the shy and charming pandas. Later, meet a local artist, who will introduce you to the esoteric art of Chinese painting. Lunch. In the afternoon, visit the historic part of the city, known as Old Chongqing Town. After Dinner, board the Victoria Cruise Ship and begin your Yangtze River adventure. Victoria Cruise Ship.

Day 11 Thursday Cruise to Fengdu

Breakfast on board. This morning, the ship leaves Chongqing and gently moves downstream towards new adventures. After Lunch, join an excursion to one of the many new towns along the river. Enjoy fabulous views of the Yangtze River from the mountainside. Return to the ship for a Chinese Calligraphy lesson. Dinner on board. Victoria Cruise Ship.

Day 12 Friday Cruise to Wushan

Breakfast on board. This morning, travel by modern version of a Sampan up the spectacular Danning River. Fighting the currents, the Sampans slowly cruise between mountains and small villages. Enjoy a boxed Lunch (provided by Victoria cruises) at the inner reaches of the river before returning to the ship. Dinner on board. Victoria Cruise Ship.

Day 13 Saturday Yangtze River – Shanghai

Breakfast on board. Arrive at the San Dou Ping Dam and sightsee part of this amazing piece of engineering. Next, transfer to Yichang airport for the flight to China’s great commercial window to the world: Shanghai. The city is truly impressive, with its unique blend of traditional architecture and the super-modern constructions in the Pudong District. Check-in at your hotel in the center of the city. Dinner. Hotel.

Day 14 Sunday Shanghai

For centuries, Shanghai has been China’s dynamic economic center for trade, influenced by colonial powers. Begin your tour with a visit to the splendid Yu Gardens and the colorful markets in the Old Quarter. Continue to Longhua Buddhist Temple for an introduction to Buddhism, followed by Lunch. Later, visit the famed Bund riverfront and the Shanghai Museum. In the evening, enjoy a truly spectacular Acrobatic Show. Hotel.

Day 15 Monday Shanghai

Today’s program is reserved for a Jewish-themed Tour of Shanghai. Begin at the Peace Hotel, located right on the famous Bund in the heart of Shanghai. The Peace Hotel was the property of one of Asia’s weathiest families: the Sassoons. Continue to the Monument of the Stateless Refugees, followed by a visit to the former Moshel Synagogue and the Documentation Center of the Jewish Refugees – a fascinating, positive Chinese chapter in World War II’s Jewish history and] visit one of the Children’s Palaces to learn about how China develops its extraordinary talents from an early age. Lunch will be served at the Shanghai Jewish Center. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a cup of tea at the famous Huxinting Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse. Continue, via illuminated landmarks such as the Shanghai Museum, Opera, Technion and the famous Nanjing Road, and enjoy a Farewell dinner. Hotel.

Day 16 Tuesday Home flights to the USA

Transfer to Shanghai International Airport for the home flights to the USA.